This responsibility is a social contract between citizens and the state: The state has an obligation to provide security to its people, especially those living near its borders, and to ensure that life there is safe.In return, young Israelis Must serve in the military.
For the Israelis, this unwritten contract was suddenly broken in the early hours of the morning. October 7, 2023. With it, the premises and promises that led to the founding of the nation were suddenly called into question.
that Saturday, When Hamas raids shocked Israelhas been considered a date will live in shame – Recalling the unforgettable words of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt regarding the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 – these are in the annals of the State of Israel and indeed even in the annals of older Jewish history.
More than 1,300 Israelis killed Most of the mass killings that day were civilians. They were all murdered – executed, massacred, torture, burn – Hamas terrorists launch massacre-like attack About Israeli Village Unprecedented scale. About 150 people, mostly Israeli civilians, brutally kidnapped was attacked by attackers that day.
I’m an Israeli historian specializing in Israel’s nuclear history. I believe that to appreciate the full significance of October 7, 2023, for Israel and Israelis, it must be viewed through the lens of Israeli and Jewish history. There are other perspectives, including historical ones, but this article attempts to portray the events of October 7, 2023, as experienced by Israelis and their profound significance.
Nation pledges ‘never again’
Now, almost every Israeli citizen has only one degree of separation from the victims of October 7, 2023. For Israel, this was truly a national disaster in the biblical sense.
The Nazi killing machine during the Holocaust Thousands of Jews were executed every day for years.But since then, in Israel’s 75-year history, there has never been a day So many Jews were killedincluding most The terrible days of the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
Zionism as a national political movement The establishment of a Jewish homeland came into being due to massacre – Violent, often murderous attacks in Europe – and Anti-Semitism in the late 19th century. By 1939, no one knew whether Zionism would succeed or fail. But this is Shoah – the Hebrew word for “massacre” – decisively released the impetus The establishment of the State of Israel as the Jewish state, both for the Jewish people and internationally, was a victory for Zionism.
The rationale for Israel’s founding in 1948—its purpose, legitimacy, and international legitimacy—was that it would become a safe home for jews As a fundamental response to the lessons of the Holocaust: Jews should no longer be victims.
So Israel followed the national declaration “never,” co-created by survivors and their rescuers as its founding spirit. For Israelis and their supporters around the world, Israel’s victory represents an extraordinary transition from the Holocaust to national renewal, or, in Hebrew, from the Holocaust to the Holocaust. Tekuma.
As a new nation, Israel spent its life forging itself as a combination of pen and sword.In terms of swords, Israel is regional military power.In terms of pens, Israel has become a Internal and external cultural forces its borders, a hub academic excellence Perhaps the most famous is “Startup Nation“High-tech Innovation Center.”
The government failed to fulfill its part of the contract
By now it’s clear that there are many surprises Hamas onslaught – sea, air and land – along the entire 40 miles of Gaza separation wall proved All elements of Israel’s vaunted defense system suffered a colossal failureincluding intelligence collection and early warning, military deployment and combat readiness, and command and control systems.
In fact, Israeli military planners Never even considered it This all-out attack is the worst-case scenario, as is now publicly acknowledged go through former senior military official.
Iseral’s The allegedly awesome border wall – ground barrier Cost over $1 billion to be completed in 2021 – became useless almost immediately. Within minutes, the attackers had seized about 30 sites on the other side – civilian settlements, military bases and even an outdoor concert venue.
almost Israel deploys no troops first in the area Defend multiple attack pointsThis is partly due to the holidays and lack of warning, and partly due to complacent confidence in the wall and its high-tech support system.
Furthermore, as Hamas has cut off almost all military communications and destroyed communication towerFor hours, Israel’s military and political leaders had only a vague understanding of the unfolding disaster.
This huge military defeat reminded many Israelis of the country’s 1973 Yom Kippur War. The parallel seems obvious—both past and present, Israelis have witnessed catastrophic intelligence and operational failures that cost so many lives due to complacency and arrogance.
But in some key ways, the catastrophe of 2023 appears to be more traumatic — it has shaken Israel to its foundations as a Zionist, secure Jewish homeland. In 1973, the casualties of this mistake were almost all soldiers.; Civilians are safe from the fighting.
On October 7, however, this was not the case.
“We are being slaughtered”
If the nation’s founding promise to its citizens was “never again,” then the brutal new reality that emerged on October 7 was “never before.”
For a long time that day, countless Israeli civilians Shouting for help but in many cases not arriving in time. Never in the history of Israel have so many civilians been without help from the military for such a long time.
“We are being massacred. There are no troops. It’s been six hours.” One kibbutz resident said in despair. “People are begging for their lives.”
Never before have Israelis found themselves whispering Desperately reaching out to TV studios and social media for helpdon’t know who else to call when terrorists are in their house.
Now, Israel has mobilized The largest reserve army in history – a reaction that reflects its attempt to recommit itself to ideas and realities that are no longer so fragile.
Yet this national trauma will be felt for generations to come. How could such a disaster happen? Who is responsible for such a disaster? How could a powerful country be so complacent?
Israel’s official response to these soul-searching questions is that the country is currently War must be waged and these issues must and will be thoroughly studied. But, they say, not now. We will investigate this matter after the war is won..
Yet these questions simmered and boiled in the hearts of Israelis. Can’t resist them. We are clear and confident that once the war is over, professional and judicial investigations will be conducted thoroughly, But some people have assumed moral responsibility. This movement to demand and accept responsibility shows Israelis’ renewed confidence in their country’s future.
The most eye-catching one is Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Military. Publicly admitted failure The military is held accountable for its failure to provide security to Israeli citizens.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the only Israeli state figure who did not admit responsibility, watched it all happen.Indeed, except for one some recorded statementswithin a week of the war starting, Netanyahu avoid meeting the public also Accept questions from the media.
this Anger at Netanyahu among the Israeli public Installing.
Avner Cohen is a professor of nonproliferation studies, middlebury school of international studies.
This article is reproduced from dialogue Licensed under Creative Commons.read Source article.
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